Carney: U.S. still trying to confirm North Korea sentencing of American

5/2/13 12:08 PM EDT

White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday that the United States is still trying to confirm reports that North Korea has sentenced an American to 15 years of hard labor.

"We don’t have any further information to share with you," Carney said, adding that the United States is still working on the case through the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang.

Kenneth Bae of Washington state has been detained in North Korea for six months and North Korean media reported Thursday that the sentence was for "committing hostile acts" against the state, the AP reports. Analysts have said the move appears to be an attempt to prompt a visit by a high-profile American -- former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter have traveled there to secure the release of previous detainees.

Carney would not speculate on such a motive, if the sentencing is confirmed, and reiterated the administration's call for North Korean leaders to stop the provocative rhetoric and actions, abandon its nuclear program and come into compliance with its international obligations.